President Obama Appreciation Thread

[Soph0571]

Examining the misery and nasty of Trump is necessary but disheartening. So with thanksgiving tomorrow I figured we could lift the spirits going into the holidays by remembering with appreciation the last time America had a real President would be a marvellous way to go into the long weekend.

So to kick it off three words to describe President Obama, I am going with

Graceful
Insightful
Compassionate

[Poeraria]

1. Character. Honesty. Empathy.

I miss having a presidential president.

[Soph0571]

12. Courage. Intelligent. Upright.

I miss him too

[Botany]

2. Remember when? The class, the kindness, and how he tried to make people feel better.

[Stuart G]

33. This defines "Class", Thank You for posting this: K and R above video, post #2

[lamp_shade]

3. Intelligence

[50 Shades Of Blue]

4. K & R!!!

Even if I ever disagreed with him about anything, I was still always soooooo glad he was president, and dreaded the day he left the WH.

[rzemanfl]

5. Best President of my longish lifetime. n/t

[safeinOhio]

6. Great Irish Man

and I just happen to be half Irish too.

[Soph0571]

13. O'bama

[cilla4progress]

7. I really can't add to this...

but will try to, anyway:

Smart
Cool
Inspiring

[Soph0571]

14. Going to add to this with..

Authentic
conscientious
Straight forward

[cilla4progress]

19. Very

niiiiiice! 👍👍👍

[Aristus]

8. Like that time Rome went from Marcus Aurelius to Commodus...

[cilla4progress]

20. Hi, Aristus!

The breadth of your knowledge never ceases to amaze!

Care to give a nutshell history lesson? Or would you recommend I simply Google it?

[Aristus]

25. Well, the movie 'Gladiator' will give you a highly-fictionalized version.

But the historical version is that Marcus Aurelius was the last of the "Five Good Emperors", the rulers of Rome beginning with Nerva after the death of Emperor Domitian. The Julio-Claudians, and the Flavians, of whom Domitian was the last of three, were family dynasties in which a family member, however well or ill-qualified, succeeded the previous emperor. This led to trouble when incompetent or crazy men like Caligula or Nero took the throne.

Nerva decided to break the curse by starting an adoptive dynasty. The Emperor would adopt as his son a well-qualified potential successor (usually a successful general with administrative experience) and groom him to be emperor when he died. Nerva selected Trajan, who selected Hadrian. This led to the peaceful, prosperous reign of Antoninus Pius, who selected Marcus Aurelius.

Aurelius broke with the tradition that had given Rome nearly a century of peace, and decided to let his son, Commodus, succeed him. 'Gladiator' portrays Commodus as murdering his father to seize power, but Aurelius most likely died of the plague that was ravaging the empire at that time. Commodus, around 19 when he succeeded, became drunk with the immense power that came with the office, and ignored the immense responsibilities that went with it. He has been portrayed as shallow, narcissistic, and even crazy by popular culture. But historians think he just wasn't very bright, accepted bad advice, and ignored good guidance.

Commodus' reign is seen as the dividing line between the Golden Age of Rome, and the beginning of the decay of the empire.


One interesting footnote: The movie 'Gladiator' actually portrays an attempt by Marcus Aurelius to convince his general Maximus, to succeed him, adhering to the adoptive tradition. A move thwarted by the embittered Commodus, who murders his father before the succession is announced. Maximus is portrayed as hailing from the Roman province of Spain, just as the real-life emperor and general Trajan did.

[cilla4progress]

28. Wow - amazing!

Thank you. History is incredible. The more things change...

[Arthur_Frain]

9. One word

Class

[Soph0571]

15. Yes, and this...

prestigious
righteous
authentic

[Arthur_Frain]

16. If I had to pick a second word,

After putting up with 3 years of the orange turd knee jerking and tweeting his way through his policy decisions, I’d say.....

Measured.

[Soph0571]

17. Well I wanted three words and measured is really up there in downward comparison...

that is Trump

[Arthur_Frain]

27. I knew I'd miss him

Never knew how much though. The contrast is numbing.

[LyndaG]

10. Nice thread

Admirable
Empathetic
Charming

[Soph0571]

11. And...

Laudable
Praiseworthy
Estimable

[Judi Lynn]

18. Disciplined, thoughtful, selfless. n/t

[A HERETIC I AM]

21. This is the photo Michelle Tweeted earlier today, as her Thanksgiving greeting;

(This should open to a large format pic)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKadEPvX0AIw0SR?format=jpg&name=large

Link to tweet

Sasha is stunning in this pic. Both girls are gorgeous, but Sasha has certainly grown into a beautiful young woman.

[ornotna]

22. Intelligent, soulful, accessible

He was a good man.

[lunatica]

23. Educated, knowledgeable, witty.

[Cha]

24. Brilliant words to describe President Obama, Soph..

and what a great idea to talk about the positive things we are grateful this Thanksgiving.

Loving, Courageous, and a Wonderful sense of humor

[Locutusofborg]

26. 62% Obama final job approval rating in Trump's favorite poll!

Rasmussen Reports. And the Gallup Poll had President Obama at 63% approval in a retrospective job approval rating after he had been out of office for a year.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/obama_approval_index_history
https://news.gallup.com/poll/226994/obama-first-retrospective-job-approval-rating.aspx

[yellowdogintexas]

29. reassuring, intelligent, kind nt

[Demsrule86]

30. President Obama Thank you for saving my husband's job...you were the best president in my lifetime..

and maybe ever...you saved the economy, helped usher in Gay marriage (my daughter thanks you too), and saved millions of lives by passing health care...not other president was ever able to do that...and it was a big fucking deal!

[VOX]

31. Genuine. Gifted. Honest.

Add: truthful, composed, gentlemanly, empathetic, tolerant, enduring.

[Mc Mike]

32. Diligent, intelligent, good. rec, nt.